The fastest way to remove a game depends on where you installed it

Most games on Windows uninstall through Settings, which takes about two minutes. A smaller number need their own uninstaller file, which you run from the game's folder. A few stubborn ones leave behind files even after uninstalling, but those are rare and usually not a problem. The method you use depends on whether the game came from Steam, the Microsoft Store, your graphics card manufacturer, or a disc — but the process is nearly identical across all of them.

The Settings method works for roughly 90 percent of games. If that doesn't work, you'll fall back to the game's own uninstaller, which is usually in the game folder itself. Knowing which one to try first saves you time.

Key Takeaways

  • Most games uninstall through Windows Settings under Apps, which is the fastest and cleanest method for games from Steam, Epic, or the Microsoft Store.
  • If a game doesn't appear in Settings, look for an uninstall.exe file in the game's folder and run that instead.
  • After uninstalling through Settings, the game folder usually deletes itself, but if it doesn't, you can delete it manually from your drive.
  • Games from the Microsoft Store sometimes require you to uninstall them from the Store app itself rather than Settings.
  • Leftover files after uninstalling are normal and take up minimal space unless the game was very large.

Uninstalling through Windows Settings

Open Settings by pressing the Windows key and typing "settings," then click the Settings app. Go to Apps, then Apps & features. Scroll down until you find the game you want to remove — the list is alphabetical. Click the game name once to select it, then click the three-dot menu that appears to the right and select Uninstall.

A window will pop up asking you to confirm. Click Uninstall again. Windows will remove the game and all its files from your drive. This usually takes between 30 seconds and two minutes depending on the game's size. When it's done, the game name disappears from the Apps & features list.

This method works for games from Steam, Epic Games Store, GOG, and most games you've installed manually. It does not always work for games from the Microsoft Store — those sometimes require a different step, which is covered below.

Uninstalling games from the Microsoft Store

If the game came from the Microsoft Store and doesn't uninstall from Settings, open the Microsoft Store app. Click the library icon (it looks like three horizontal lines) in the top right corner. Find the game in your library, click the three-dot menu next to it, and select Uninstall.

The Store will ask you to confirm. Click Uninstall again. The game will be removed from your drive. This method is slower than Settings — it can take three to five minutes — but it's the most reliable way to remove Store games completely.

Using a game's built-in uninstaller

If a game doesn't show up in Settings or the Microsoft Store, it likely has its own uninstaller. Open File Explorer and navigate to the folder where you installed the game. This is usually C:\Program Files\Game Name or C:\Program Files (x86)\Game Name, but some games install to a custom location.

Look for a file called uninstall.exe, unins000.exe, or something similar. Double-click it and follow the prompts. The uninstaller will remove the game and usually delete the folder when it's done. If you're not sure where the game is installed, right-click the game's shortcut on your desktop, select Properties, and look at the "Start in" field — that's the folder location.

Removing leftover game files manually

After uninstalling, the game folder sometimes remains on your drive. This is harmless — it takes up space, but Windows won't try to run it. If you want to delete it, open File Explorer, navigate to the game's folder, right-click it, and select Delete. The folder will move to your Recycle Bin.

Some games also leave behind a folder in C:\Users\Your Username\AppData\Local or C:\Users\Your Username\AppData\Roaming. These contain save files and settings. You can delete these folders too if you want to free up space, but they're usually small — under 500 MB even for large games. If you think you might play the game again later, leave them alone; they won't hurt anything.

To see hidden AppData folders, open File Explorer, click View at the top, and check the box next to "Hidden items." Then navigate to AppData and look for a folder with the game's name.

What to do if uninstalling fails

If a game won't uninstall from Settings and has no uninstaller file, try restarting your computer and trying again. Sometimes Windows locks game files while they're in use, and a restart releases them.

If that doesn't work, check whether the game is still running. Press Ctrl+Shift+Esc to open Task Manager, look for the game's process in the list, click it, and select End Task. Then try uninstalling again. If the game still won't budge, you can delete the game folder manually — right-click it, select Delete, and confirm. This removes the game from your drive even if Windows won't uninstall it officially. The game won't appear in Settings anymore, but the folder will be gone.

Uninstalling games from Steam

Steam games uninstall through Settings like any other game, but you can also uninstall directly from Steam. Open Steam, go to your Library, right-click the game, select Manage, then Uninstall. Steam will ask you to confirm and will remove the game from your drive.

Both methods work equally well. Using Settings is slightly faster because you don't have to open Steam, but using Steam's uninstaller is useful if you want to uninstall multiple games at once — you can queue them up and let Steam handle them in the background.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will uninstalling a game delete my save files?

Not always. Games store saves in different places. Some save files are in the game folder and will delete when you uninstall. Others are in AppData, which doesn't delete automatically. If you want to keep your saves, copy the game folder to a backup location before uninstalling, or look up where that specific game stores saves online.

Can I uninstall a game while it's running?

No. If you try, Windows will either block the uninstall or leave files behind. Close the game completely, wait a few seconds, then uninstall. If the game won't close, use Task Manager to force it closed.

What if a game folder won't delete even after uninstalling?

Windows sometimes locks files that are still in use. Restart your computer and try again. If that doesn't work, right-click the folder, select Properties, go to the Security tab, click Edit, select your username, check Full Control, and click explore. Then try deleting the folder again.

Do I need to uninstall a game before reinstalling it?

Not usually. Most games can be reinstalled over an existing installation without problems. However, if you're having trouble with a game, uninstalling completely and reinstalling fresh sometimes fixes it. Just make sure you back up your save files first.

How much space will I free up by uninstalling a game?

It depends on the game. Older games are usually 5 to 20 GB. Modern games are often 50 to 150 GB. A few very large games like Call of Duty or Microsoft Flight Simulator can be 200 GB or more. Check the game's size in Settings under Apps & features — the number appears next to the game name.